Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Songbird Aviary Tour
2024-11-04 12:30 - 12:50, 2024-11-03 12:30 - 12:50, 2024-11-02 12:30 - 12:50, 2024-11-01 12:30 - 12:50 (America/New_York)
Songbird Aviary Tour
12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
Spend some time in the Songbird Aviary! Our docents will familiarize you with this special group of birds and point out the ways you can make a great habitat for these important creatures in your own backyard.
Held in the Songbird Aviary.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Raptors Up Close
2024-11-04 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-11-03 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-11-02 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-11-01 11:00 - 11:30
Raptors Up Close
11 AM – 11:30 AM
Take flight with us on an unforgettable experience! We’ll show you the unique nature of some of the world’s most highly skilled predators – raptors! In this live bird demonstration you’ll gain an up-close view and an in-depth understanding of these majestic birds.
Held in the Hawkfly or Neale Pavilion.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Raptor Feeding Time
2024-11-03 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-11-02 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-11-01 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-10-31 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-10-30 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-10-29 14:30 - 15:00
Raptor Feeding Time
2:30 PM – 3 PM
Join our raptor care-givers for feeding time! Learn about the habits and history of each of the resident raptors at VINS as you watch them enjoy their daily meal.
Held in the Raptor Exhibits.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Animal Encounter
2024-11-03 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-11-02 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-11-01 14:00 - 14:20
Animal Encounter
2 PM – 2:20 PM
Meet an ambassador animal and hear their story while we learn about the adaptations they have that help their species survive in the wild. Join us for a reptile ambassador on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, or a raptor ambassador on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday!
Held in the Hawkfly or Neale Pavilion.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Artist Exhibition – Betsy Smith
2024-11-01 10:00 - 2025-01-31 16:00
Artist Exhibition – Betsy Smith
November 1 to January 31
Neale Pavilion / VINS Nature Center
About Betsy Smith:
Betsy’s artwork is a celebration of the amazing natural world around us, from distant galaxies to the fascinating wild creatures with whom we share our sacred Earth. Her preferred mediums are watercolors and acrylics. She particularly enjoys watercolor painting on location, where the experience of sunlight, weather, and birdsongs adds a lively dimension to the creative process. Betsy loves the feeling of being an integral part of the landscape as she is painting. Sketching birds and other wildlife also gives her joy. Betsy’s sincere hope is that through her artwork she can share her love of wild creatures and the special places they call home.
Betsy grew up in an artistic family who encouraged her to follow her dreams wherever they might lead. Although artistically inclined, she developed an early fascination with aviation and space, learning to fly at age 16.
During her flying career, Betsy always made time for art, attending painting workshops and sketch-journaling while on her flying trips. Through her membership in the International Association of Astronomical Artists, Betsy was able to combine her interests in art and the cosmos, attending space art workshops in exotic locales. In 1995 she was one of twenty artists from around the world whose paintings were sent up to the Russian space station Mir for the first art exhibit in earth orbit. Her painting was the one selected by the crew to remain on Mir.
Along with watercolor landscape painting, Betsy particularly enjoys sketching and painting wildlife, often on location with the aid of a spotting scope. In 2016, Betsy became a volunteer at VINS, and is especially thrilled at the opportunity to fly raptors in the education programs. Many of her bird paintings are inspired by the avian residents of VINS.
View more of Betsy’s artwork.
Proceeds from the purchase of artwork from Betsy Smith will benefit VINS.
Artwork: VINS Ambassador Bloomfield, Red-tailed Hawk.
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Predators of the Sky
2024-10-31 15:00 - 15:30, 2024-10-30 15:00 - 15:30, 2024-10-29 15:00 - 15:30
Predators of the Sky
3 PM – 3:30 PM
Join us as we explore the natural world through the eyes of raptors. Be amazed by these efficient predators in an engaging presentation featuring VINS’ feathered ambassadors. Bird programs cover topics ranging from the mechanics of flight, seasonal migration and avian conservation issues to the extraordinary abilities of raptors. Through these in-depth and interactive programs, visitors gain newfound understanding and appreciation for what it takes to survive in the wild.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Songbird Aviary Tour
2024-10-31 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-10-30 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-10-29 14:00 - 14:20
Songbird Aviary Tour
2 PM – 2:20 PM
Spend some time in our newest exhibit – the Songbird Aviary! Our docents will familiarize you with this special group of birds and point out the ways you can make a great habitat for these important creatures in your own backyard.
Held in the Songbird Aviary.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Reptile Rendezvous
2024-10-31 13:00 - 13:30, 2024-10-30 13:00 - 13:30
Reptile Rendezvous*
1 PM – 1:30 PM
Want to meet some totally “cool” creatures? Join a VINS Educator to learn all about our resident reptiles! We’ll listen to stories about how these creatures got their awesome adaptations, and meet a turtle or a snake.
*This program is dependent on the weather – our reptiles require warm temperatures.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Predators of the Sky
2024-10-31 11:00 - 11:30, 2024-10-30 11:00 - 11:30
Predators of the Sky
11 AM – 11:30 AM
Join us as we explore the natural world through the eyes of raptors. Be amazed by these efficient predators in an engaging presentation featuring VINS’ feathered ambassadors. Bird programs cover topics ranging from the mechanics of flight, seasonal migration and avian conservation issues to the extraordinary abilities of raptors. Through these in-depth and interactive programs, visitors gain newfound understanding and appreciation for what it takes to survive in the wild.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Turtle Time
2024-10-31 10:30 - 10:50, 2024-10-30 10:30 - 10:50
Turtle Time
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
Meet Turt and Jersey, VINS Ambassador Turtles, as they have their morning stroll and breakfast. Chat with an educator about these cool creatures.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.
